Ball Hockey Rules:

About our Ball Hockey Leagues:
At Valley Sport & Social Club, we embrace the spirit of FUN as our top priority! Our league is designed to provide a positive and supportive atmosphere where individuals from diverse backgrounds and skill levels can come together to stay active, socialize, and enjoy themselves. We are excited for a fantastic season filled with inclusive and friendly gameplay.

Code of Conduct:
At Valley Sport & Social Club, we prioritize a fun and sportsmanlike atmosphere above all else. Any form of overly aggressive, rough, or unsportsmanlike behaviour, such as pushing, shoving, or name-calling, is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated. We value the safety and enjoyment of all players in our league.

Any player engaging in rough or physical play will face immediate expulsion from the game, league, club, or all of the above. It is essential for all participants to avoid unnecessary contact with others and to refrain from actions that could compromise player safety. In the event of accidental contact, players are expected to apologize, ensure everyone's well-being, and pause the game to seek appropriate assistance if needed. This rule takes precedence over all others to maintain a respectful and enjoyable playing environment for everyone.

If at any time during a game if there are any concerns with the opposing team players, the team captain will address the issue with the other team captain during a break or halftime. If the issue has not been resolved by the end of the game please forward any concerns to play@valleysportandsocial.com

Team Composition:
All players must be signed up with Valley Sport & Social Club and must sign our waiver to be eligible to play.

There is no limit to the number of players on a team.

Your Team Captain is the one who invites you via email to join their team. Once you create a profile and accept the waivers, you will show up onto your team roster. Only players on the team roster are able to play. This includes any SUBS!!

Individual players: Players that register independently and are looking to be placed onto a team by Valley Sport & Social Club will be notified what your team name is via email approximately a week before league start. Schedule will follow shortly afterwards.

Team captains are responsible for ensuring that all players are registered.

Teams play 5-vs-5 (4 plus Goalie = 5 players on the playing surface per team)

Missing A Player / Short A Player(s) Rule:
A player may be borrowed from other teams if short only if agreed upon by both team captains before the start of play.

Injury Substitution Rule:
A player may be borrowed from other teams to help the team replace an injured player if no other teammates are available to replace the injured player. Please try to find a replacement player similar to injured players' skill and ability if possible. Please let opposing team captain know of this substitution prior to the return of play.

Balls:
At Valley Sport & Social Club, our Game Hosts will supply ball hockey game balls for each game. Teams are encouraged to bring their own balls for warm-up and practice sessions.

Uniforms:
To ensure smooth operations, we recommend that every team brings both light and dark coloured shirts to every game. This practice helps facilitate easy identification and organization during matches.

Equipment:
All players, must wear shin pads when playing. Players may also wear gloves (hockey / lacrosse / work gloves are all permitted). This equipment is recommended but not mandatory. Players are to provide / supply their own hockey sticks (any typical ice hockey approved sticks) for their match.

Goalies: May use a glove (trapper or baseball glove), blocker, mask, chest / arm protector, leg pads, athletic cup and hockey pants and goalie-style stick. This equipment can be from either ball / floor or ice hockey sports. Goalies must wear a face-mask or helmet with full cage to best protect the face.

Keeping Score:
We kindly request that each team appoint a player to assist with scoring during the game. Captains from either team will enter the game standing points for both teams at the end of the game online through their dashboard. Captains would go to their team schedule to “Record Scores”. Captains from either team are the only members that can enter the standings points for both teams. When entering your standings points - DO NOT ENTER Goals scored! Captains just enter the points for standings only for both teams - A win will grant the winning team 2 points in the standings, a tie will grant both teams 1 point, and a loss will grant 0 points. If your team wins by default / no-show the above point system for standings scoring are in effect.

Game Length:
Please ensure you arrive 15 minutes early to start games on time.
Each game of 2 x 25 minute halves with a brief rest between halves.

Games start and end according to the schedule.
Game start times vary throughout the schedule from:
6:00pm start, 7:00pm start, 8:00pm start, and upto 9:00pm start.

If games start late, they must finish at the scheduled time.

Teams are responsible for keeping score and time.

Valley Sport & Social Club Game Host will whistle the end of each half.

A game can end in a “tie” during the regular season. In the playoffs, a game that is tied at the end of regulation time is decided by a shoot-out.


Water Breaks:
Should both teams require water breaks - when and duration is to be agreed upon by both captains.

Weather:
Play will continue in ALL weather conditions! We play Rain or Shine!
During severe weather like thunderstorms, games must stop immediately and players should seek shelter. Wait for 45 minutes; if the weather improves, play can resume. If not and the game was in the first half, scores won't count, and the game may be rescheduled. If in the second half, the score at stoppage stands.

Alcohol/Drugs:
Alcohol and drugs are not allowed during league play at Valley Sport & Social Club. Offenders will be asked to leave the league without refund. Zero tolerance policy applies.

Game Start Time Default:
A default occurs if a team cannot field a squad 10 minutes after the official start time. Teams can play with a minimum of 4 players. Captains can meet and agree to waive minimum requirements before the game, with notification to the Game Host. Once agreed upon, that game counts and is official!

Start of Game:

• Captains will meet-up at centre and Rock, Paper, Scissors for the choice of side.
• Captains will start the game when both teams are ready to play.
• Both Captains will start their own watch / phone timer clocks together with alarm to signal the end of each half / game.
• Teams are responsible for keeping score and time during game.
• The start of each half / game will take place at the centre of the rink with the ball placed in the centre and a player from each team meeting across from each other for a traditional tapping of hockey sticks for for each letter of the word “N-H-L” style face-off as demonstrated here in this video link:
• Teams switch sides of rink after the first half of the game.
• Time-Outs are NOT permitted
• Water Breaks:
  Should both teams require water breaks - when and duration is to be agreed upon by both captains.

General Ball Hockey Rules:

After a Goal is Scored:

To score a goal, the ball must fully cross the ‘goal-line’.

• After each goal, play is re-started with a “N-H-L” style (Tapping of Sticks for each letter of N-H-L) face-off at centre of rink.

No Kicking in a Goal: Players cannot score by kicking the ball into the net. Any kicking motion done with the intention of directing the movement of the ball nullifies a goal. However, if a pass is made and it inadvertently deflects off a player’s foot and into the net, the goal counts.

Ball Goes Out-of-Bounds:

• Balls going out of bounds are to be brought back into play from the corner by the defensive team, regardless of which team touched the ball last. If a team is deemed to have intentionally put the ball out of play in their own end, then the ball will be awarded to the other team at centre.
• When a team takes possession of the ball after it goes out-of-bounds, the opposing team must give that player 5 feet and 3 seconds to play the ball. Once the player moves the ball, the opposing team can now pursue the ball.
• Any ball going out-of-bounds that contacts a wall or other object including players or spectators and comes back into bounds is considered to be in play and live.

Goalie Rules:

• Goalie can only freeze the ball if the have a part of their body still touching the crease area. If the goalie freezes the ball with their body not touching the crease area, the offensive team will gain possession of the ball at centre.
• Some rinks do not have a goal crease marked, in this scenario we ask that the area extending 4 feet from the goal line be used as the goal crease area.
• If the goalie freezes the ball and stops play, the goalie may place or drop the ball either beside or behind the net for the defensive team to take possession. The opposing team must move at least 5 feet away and give 3 seconds of time for the defensive player to move the ball from the side or behind the net. If the goalie attempts to throw or play the ball forward up to a player that is not beside or behind the net, the ball shall be considered live as soon as the goalie releases the ball.
• A goalie using their blocker hand can only put the ball in play beside or behind the net. They cannot throw the ball forward using their blocker hand. Failure to do so will result in the opposing team receiving the ball at centre.
• A goalie using their glove / trapper hand to throw the ball forward must keep the ball below waist height and the ball must bounce least once before centre. Failure to do so will result in the opposing team receiving the ball at centre.
• The goalie is not permitted to come across centre. If the goalie does cross the centre line, play will be stopped and the opposing team will get possession of the ball at centre. If a team wishes to “pull the goalie” during play, the goalie must leave the court and a regular player may come on to play.

No Play in Goal Crease Area:

• No sticks or feet (offense or defense) may enter the lined or taped crease in front of the net at any time.
• Only the goalie may occupy this space.
• If an offensive player enters the crease with either their stick or feet, it is the goalie’s ball. It is up to the goalie, or nearby players to make this call. If a defensive player disrupts/affects the play by entering his/her own crease, the offensive team is awarded at centre. If a defensive player stops a ball in the crease from going in the net, a goal is awarded.

Substitutions:

• Substitutions can be made on the fly. The only time a substitution will stop play is if the goalie is the one being substituted.
• There is no maximum number of substitutions.
• Players must wait until the player being subbed is completely off the playing surface before they can go in.
• Substitutions can be made at any time.
• The player coming off must 'tag' the oncoming player.
• Substitutions should not disrupt the flow of the game.

Fouls:

All games are self-refereed.

Players are responsible for calling their own fouls. Please don’t abuse this rule. If a foul call has not been made, the player who has been fouled can also make the foul call.

Only one of the two players involved with an infraction can make a foul call.

When a foul is called, play must be stopped as there is no “Play-on Advantage” rule in VSSC ball hockey.

If a foul call is disputed and the two players cannot come to an agreement, the ball will go to the team that was defending their net. Remember that games are timed, so it is not worth wasting time arguing over calls.

If a player commits any infraction (whether it is accidental or not), it is expected that that player will call themselves and give possession to the opposing team. If a player does not call themselves, it is their captain’s responsibility to call the infraction on their own team. If both the player and the captain fail to call the foul, both captains will meet to decide on a solution. If a player continuously fails to call their own infractions, the opposing team captain or on-site staff may, at their discretion, ask the captain to tell their player to take a 5-minute “break” on the bench. Both captains will time the 5 minutes and notify the player when they may participate again.
Any player that is on a “5-minute break” will not cause their team to be short-handed, unless they do not have any substitutes for that player. In this case, the team will play short-handed.

The on-site staff is NOT a referee. The emphasis in this league is on fun and participation, it is hoped that common sense prevails and players will call their own infractions. If an infraction occurs, the opposing team will receive possession of the ball under the following circumstances:

• If an infraction occurs against a defending team, then the offensive team will receive the ball at centre.
• If an infraction occurs against an offensive team, then the defending team with receive the ball by their own goal.
• The same restart procedure will be followed as outlined previously 5 feet and 3 seconds are given to the player restarting the play. However the player may not shoot the ball at the goal (the restart must be indirect (2-Touch)). If a goal is scored off of a shot or rebound from the restart, the goal will not count.
• If a scoring chance is eliminated by a blatant infraction, a penalty shot is to be awarded. Penalty shot type starting at centre (see Penalty Shot Style Rule for details). The player committing the infraction may also be expelled from the game at the discretion of both captains.
  

Penalty Shot Style Rule:
Penalty shots will be a ‘breakaway’ format, where the shooter will start with the ball at centre and move in on the goalie. The shooter is permitted one shot only - no rebound chances - and the ball must be kept in motion in a forward direction (i.e. towards the net). Goalies must start on the goal-line but may move out once the opposing player makes contact with the ball to begin the penalty shot.

Rough Play

• Incidental contact is inevitable but players should avoid creating unsafe play. This rule supersedes all others.

• Please note that on-site staff members have full autonomy when supervising games. Games may be stopped entirely, players may be asked to leave the playing area or be removed from the game entirely under their discretion. The on-site staff’s decision is final, and may not be questioned or disputed. The team captains are the only players who may bring an issue to the on-site staff’s attention. Communication between the on-site staff and the team captains is encouraged to keep the league enjoyable for everyone.

• Stopped Games: A Game Host may stop a game before the full time has expired due to overly aggressive play, persistent unsportsmanlike conduct or a general violation of the rules of the game. This decision is solely at the discretion of the Game Host. If the decision is made to stop the game early due to play of BOTH teams, the score may be recorded as a loss for BOTH teams. One exception to this ruling is if the Game Host has stopped the game because of the inappropriate play of only one (1) team. Under these circumstances, the non-offending team will receive the win, regardless of the score at the time that the game is stopped. This is also at the discretion of the Game Host.

• Any rough or physical play will result in immediate expulsion from further league play and may result in a lifetime league expulsion. The first incident of any rough or physically unsafe play will result in a verbal warning by the on-site staff. The second incident will result in a five-minute benching for the offending player. The third incident will result in that player’s IMMEDIATE EXPULSION from the game. In this case, the team captain will be responsible for ensuring that their player leaves the premises. The on-site staff’s decision will be final, and there will be no questioning the on-site staff’s decision. If the player refuses to sit out or leave the premises if asked to do so, the game will not re-start until that player complies. If, in the on-site staff’s opinion, the player takes too much time to comply, the offending player’s team will default the game (no matter what the current score is), and the opposing team will receive a 2 points win in the standings.

Any instances of verbal abuse by a player towards another player or the on-site staff will result in that player’s immediate expulsion from the game and rink, at the discretion of the on-site staff. This includes foul language directed at another player or comments made to another player with, in the judgment of the on-site staff, the intent of instigating a confrontation. If a player has been asked to leave by their on-site staff, it will be the team captain’s responsibility to ensure that the player leaves without further incident.

High-sticking, slashing, body-contact and slap shots are strictly forbidden. Please have consideration and respect for your opponents; you might think you are trying to get the ball but instead may be attacking their shins! Each player is responsible for their own stick, and must be able to control it. This rule applies for both players and goaltenders - there is to be absolutely NO slashing at a goalie’s pads, glove or blocker in an effort to free a ball or try to force the ball into the goal. This also includes trying to pry a ball loose under a goaltender, or jamming your stick at a goalie’s equipment to try and poke the ball into the net. PLEASE PLAY THE BALL AND NOT THE BODY!!!!

High-sticking: Any ball contacted by a stick above the height of the waist is considered to be high-sticking, and the opposing team will receive possession. Needless to say, any goal scored in this manner will not count.

No Throwing Stick: If a player throws their stick anywhere on the floor, a penalty shot will be awarded to the opposing team. Any member of the non-offending team on the floor may take the penalty shot.

No Slapshots: A player’s wind up must not go higher than their waist as a backswing in order to shoot the ball (ie NO SLAPSHOTS)

No Lifting of Stick: A player may NOT engage with an opposition player, or their stick unless they have the ball. This includes ‘tying a player up’ / lifting their stick when they do not have the ball. If the player keeps their stick below the height of their waist while playing the ball, but makes contact with an opposing player with their stick, this is an infraction and the opposing team will receive possession of the ball. This also includes attempting to check another player, or their stick. If you attempt to lift their stick, and your stick contacts an opponent above the waist, this will also be considered a foul. Please be responsible for your sticks! . You must play the ball, not the body or stick.

No Leaving The Feet: A player may not dive or lay down on the floor, either to check another player or to block a shot. Players may NOT go down on one knee to block a shot, and leaving their feet to sprawl across the floor in an attempt to check a player or to block a shot will result in 1) the opposing team being awarded possession at centre, and 2) a warning being issued to the offending player. If a player commits the same foul after being issued a warning, they will be ejected from the game.

• Goalies are exempted from this rule for the purpose of blocking the shot while still in proximity to their crease (i.e. they have a foot within 1 meter of the goalmouth). A goalie MAY NOT leave their feet outside their goal crease in an effort to poke-check, or block an opponent’s lane to the net. If a player commits an infraction of this rule in their goalmouth (they are inside or mostly inside the “crease” area- this will be at the on-site staff discretion), or a goaltender commits an infraction outside of their goalmouth (they leave their feet outside the “crease” area and trip an opponent) then the opposing team will be issued a penalty shot that any member on the floor may take except the goalie.
  

No Body Contact allowed (this includes “pick-style”plays). This also includes a defensive player pushing into the back of an offensive player, or an offensive player backing into a defensive player (even if they have possession of the ball). At all times players on offense and defence may not initiate physical contact with an opposing player. All players should do everything in their power to avoid contact at all times! Initiating physical contact will result in the opposing team receiving possession of the ball in the nearest corner (defensive team) or at centre (offensive team).

No Hand Passes- A player may not use their hand to intentionally move the ball to a teammate. If a player intentionally touches the ball with their hand and the next player to gain possession of the ball is their teammate, then this shall be considered a hand pass and the opposing team shall receive possession. Goalies are exempted from this rule (i.e. goalies may play the ball to a teammate using their trapper. If the ball unintentionally deflects off of a player’s hand, then play shall proceed regardless of which team gains possession of the ball next. Goalies cannot remove a blocker/trapper and use their bare hand to toss/pass a ball. This is considered a hand pass.

Alcohol

• No alcoholic beverages are permitted on Valley Sport & Social Club property.
• Offenders will be asked to leave the league without refund.

Playoffs Eligibility and Tie-Breaking Procedures:

A game can end in a “tie” during the regular season. In the playoffs, a game that is tied at the end of regulation time is decided by a shoot-out.

• No Ringers: To play in a playoff game, players must have played a minimum of 3 regular season games for that team.
• Substitutes: A player is only allowed to play for one team in each playoff round. Players cannot sub in for another team during the same round, most particularly in a championship game. Exception: a player may sub for another team in the same league during the same play-off round IF the team needing a sub would default the game without the substitute player (resulting in both teams being unable to play).
• There must be a winner in a playoff match.
• In the playoffs, a shoot-out is used to break ties. Only the players on the playing surface at the end of the game can participate and the goalie that finished the game remains the goalie for the shoot-out. Four (4) players from each team take penalty shots (see Penalty Shot Style Rule for details) format starting from centre half (Best 3 out of 4 Shots Format) until a winner is determined.
  If still tied after the first round - the same process will be repeated using the same order of players until a winner is determined.